Walter Isaacson, the biographer of Elon Musk, stated that the most distressing aspect of the billionaire’s life was his relationship with actress Amber Heard. During an appearance on Kara Swisher’s podcast, Isaacson remarked that “nothing hurt him more than that relationship.” He characterized their connection as being filled with “storm and turmoil,” which he noted was “part of the attraction.”

Isaacson emphasized that Musk’s relationship with Heard was more painful for him than his complicated relationship with his father. He explained, “The storm and turmoil that both sides describe is not a matter of dispute; it was part of the attraction.” He further elaborated that a recurring theme in Musk’s life is his attraction to drama and chaos, suggesting that when circumstances are stable, he tends to thrive—evidenced by his acquisition of Twitter, among other ventures. “This is true of the relationship with Amber. Nothing hurt him more than that relationship,” Isaacson concluded.

Neither Musk nor Heard’s legal representative provided immediate comments regarding these statements.

Musk and Heard’s romantic involvement began after they connected at the 2016 Met Gala. They publicly acknowledged their relationship in April 2017, but it ended a few months later. Despite their breakup, they continued to see each other intermittently until their final separation in 2018.

Isaacson dedicated two years to shadowing Musk for the biography, which was released last week. The book delves into the “psychological turmoil” present in many of Musk’s romantic entanglements, including the account of his initial meeting with Heard, who expressed interest in visiting SpaceX a year after they collaborated on the action film “Machete Kills,” where Heard starred and Musk served as a consultant.

Isaacson also chronicled the intense conflicts within their relationship, noting, “She and Musk would engage in prolonged arguments throughout the night, leaving him unable to rise until the afternoon.”

In the biography, Heard expressed her deep affection for Musk, stating, “I love him very much,” while adding, “Elon is drawn to fire, and at times, it scorches him.”

When Isaacson inquired about Musk’s turbulent romantic past, the billionaire candidly remarked, “I often act foolishly, particularly when it comes to love.”

Grimes, the Canadian musician and Musk’s former partner with whom he has three children, shared with Isaacson that Musk “links love with cruelty or abuse,” a connection she attributes partly to his relationship with his father, Errol Musk.

Musk has recounted that his father subjected him to bullying and humiliation throughout his upbringing. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, he described his father as a “terrible human being” who had committed “nearly every evil act imaginable.”

Errol Musk has refuted claims of mistreating his son. Musk’s first wife, Justine Wilson, who was married to him from 2000 to 2008, has also reflected on their relationship.

“There is an adversarial aspect to his nature,” she conveyed to Isaacson. “I don’t believe one can be in a relationship with Elon without engaging in arguments.”

“When you come from a dysfunctional background or possess a mind like his,” Wilson explained to Isaacson, “intensity often replaces intimacy.”